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New Hope students act out history to mark Articles of Confederation Day

Students act out 1777 adoption of Articles of Confederation in annual academic contest.

By JAMIE MCCUNE For the Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
11/19/2012 07:46:05 AM EST

Students with the New Hope Charter School, perform a dramatic presentation for Articles of Confederation Day. They portrayed a group of scientists from the year 2255 traveling back in time to unearth the historical site of York's colonial courthouse. YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - PAUL KUEHNEL (Paul Kuehnel)

York, PA -

The year is 2255 and a group of scientists have traveled to the site of the colonial courthouse in York to see what they can uncover about the Articles of Confederation.

With their shimmering scarves, capes and iPad 2000s, the crew logged information about who signed the document from which colonies, and the history of the building itself.

The performance Sunday by students from New Hope Charter School's performing arts program was a part of the York County Heritage Trust's Articles of Confederation Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Articles of Confederation in York on Nov. 15, 1777.

The students researched and wrote their own script.

"You come here with people who have studied it and they say, that didn't actually happen, but this happened, and you're right there with the actual piece," said junior Shea Passno of New Hope.

After being forced to flee Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress reconvened in York, where it finished the Articles of Confederation. The agreement between the 13 founding states was the nation's first governing document.

It was later replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

As part of the day, the heritage trust rewarded students who submitted entries for the student media awards. The trust usually sponsors an essay contest, but this year, students were encouraged to use different media -- such as videos, Powerpoints, storyboards and newscasts.

"This was tough. We had to get the camera and filming," said Jimmy McAllister, a home-schooled seventh-grader.

McAllister has participated and written essays the past four years. This year, he did a newscast and was three different characters, the news anchor and two of the delegates.

"We got to see a little more of their uniqueness," said Daniel Roe, director of education for the heritage trust. "You never see a group effort with an essay, while we do with a few of these."

Some children did newscasts while others took a more dramatic turn, dressing in period costume.

"I really like acting and narrative story. History is a passion of mine, so it really appealed to me," said Kyra Smith, 13, of Jackson Township.

Smith took first place in the grade 6 to 8 bracket with her portrayal of a spy for a plantation owner. She reported on the debates surrounding the Articles of Confederation, such as whether or not women should vote, religious freedom and taxes.

The York County Heritage Trust and York Daily Record/Sunday News cosponsored the Articles of Confederation Day media project contest held Sunday. Here are the winners:

* Grades 9-12:

First Place: Dominic DeFelice, Dallastown Area High School

* Grade 6-8:

First Place: Kyra Smith, grade 8, Home School

Second Place: Jimmy McAllister, grade 7, home school

* Grade 3-5

First Place: Rose Beyer, grade 5, Dallastown Area Intermediate School

Second Place: Timmy McAllister, grade 3, home school

Third Place: Adam Ehrhart's grade 5 class, Red Lion Area School District

Fourth Place: Thomas Urrunaga, grade 4, West York Area School District, Trimmer Elementary School

From the left, Ashley Shaw, Keegan Counterman, instructor Dante Strange and Cheyenne Washington, students with the New Hope Charter School, perform a dramatic presentation, "Discovering History" "A group of scientists from the year 2255 travel back in time to unearth the historical site of York's Colonial Courthouse" during the Articles of Confederation Day remembrance at the Colonial Courthouse in York Sunday November 18, 2012. YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - PAUL KUEHNEL (Paul Kuehnel)